Merdrignac

Merdrignac is a small Breton town, with more to it than first meets the eye. The centre of town is host to boulangeries, butchers, flower shops, a local pharmacie, a beauty parlour, hair salons and a superU supermarché. The Central Bar offers a decent plat du jour for lunch, and outside seating. L’Espirit Italien has delicious homemade pizzas and lasagnes. There is a small market every Wednesday.

Val de Landrounet campsite has a lake, and offers summer activities including sailing, archery, mini golf, and many more. The town swimming pool is nearby, and open all summer. There is even a studio cinema, showing an eclectic mix of films in French and English.

The secluded Route Verte runs from Saint Méen-le-Grand through Merdrignac and on towards Carhaix and beyond. It is a beautiful, tranquil path to walk, run or cycle along, free of traffic.

Photo credit © domaine-de-kervallon.com

Things to do

Cycling

Love cycling? Well you’ve come to the right place! France is a cyclist’s heaven. And like everywhere across Brittany, Merdrignac offers an abundance of cycling trails. With the ‘Brocéliande’ being voted number 1 in the area.

Photo credit: unsplash.com © Viktor Bystrov

Walking

Spend time by exploring one of many walking trails in or near Merdrignac. Like the trail ‘Étang de l'Abbaye’ in Paimpont, on this walk you will cross the forest of Brocéliande, as well as the peat bogs of the Abbey and the Pâtis Vert. At the edge of the lake, you will have beautiful views of the Abbey.

There are many walking trails to discover, not to mention some of the most famous, coastal walking trails in France, Like the trail from Cap Fréhel to Fort La Latte, A floral balcony on the Emerald Coast.

Photo credit: © Emma Green

Golf

There are 42 golf courses in or near Brittany. The best 18 hole golf course in Brittany is Golf Bluegreen Pléneuf-Val-André.

Opened in 1992, this golf course has been hosting the Brittany Open for 13 years. Its wild scenery mixes moors, ocean, beach and cliffs as far as the eye can see. Discover the Emerald Coast in Brittany and face the ocean.

Photo credit: © Golf Bluegreen Pleneuf-Val-Andre

Rennes

Only a 45 minute drive from the historic Rennes. The capital of Brittany!

Let yourself be won over by the joyful atmosphere of a trendy region. It is also a line of castles that once defended the region.

Don’t forget to visit The Lices Market, for four centuries now, every Saturday from 7:30am to 1:30pm, the people of Rennes have been converging in large numbers on the Place des Lices. Nearly 250 producers, craftsmen and traders, The Lices Market is the second largest market in France.

Photo credit: unsplash.com © Mick N.

Saint-Brieuc

We are less than an hour from the beautiful shores of Saint-Brieuc! Between the port of Paimpol and the majestic capes Fréhel and Erquy, discover a gourmet destination, strong in flavours and emotions.

With the bay of Saint-Brieuc in its center, it enjoys changing lights that reveal magnificent landscapes and unspoiled nature.

Photo credit: unsplash.com © Steven Roussel

Dinan

We are 50 minutes from Dinan, a charming medieval town between land and sea.

Surrounded by nearly 3km of ramparts, the town of Dinan and its 14th century castle proudly overlook the Rance. Below, the small marina is the starting point for beautiful walks along the estuary.

Photo credit: unsplash.com © Desert Morocco Adventure

Swimming Lakes

Looking to cool down on a hot summer’s day, why not try one of the many swimming lakes nearby. Starting with Le Lac au Duc, a place for walks and a wonderful natural setting, the Lac au Duc de Taupont is unmissable, with its 250 hectares, located in the municipalities of Ploërmel, Loyat and Taupont.

Or why not head to Plage de Trémelin and enjoy the beach and swimming in the heart of Brocéliande.

Photo credit: © lacdetremelin.com

Mont Saint-Michel

At Mont Saint-Michel, for more than 1300 years, great history has been intertwined, in turn, with the personal stories of its monks, inhabitants, pilgrims and visitors.

On a rocky islet in the middle of immense shores subject to the comings and goings of powerful tides, on the border between Normandy and Brittany, stands the "wonder of the West", a Gothic-style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the Archangel Saint Michael, and the village born in the shelter of its walls. (Source: Unesco)

Photo credit: unsplash.com © Simon Spring

Saint-Malo

One of the best ways to discover Saint-Malo is to follow the 2km walk around the high, sturdy ramparts that encircle the town, with good views of the town itself and also of the beaches, coast and surrounding area.

Follow this with an exploration of the walled city of Saint-Malo within the ramparts, where you can admire the grand granite houses dating from the days of the pirates.

Josselin

Start your visit in the historical centre of Josselin, where the main highlights are the narrow streets lined with half-timbered medieval houses, and the important basilica.

Josselin chateau dominates the town centre. The castle was originally built around the 11th century, the gardens at Josselin Chateau are another highlight of a visit - well maintained and worth visiting, and featuring a 'French style' garden and an 'English style' garden.

Pontivy

Pontivy has an important role as a popular tourist destination, mainly because of the castle but also in part because it is where the Nantes-Brest canal meets the River Blavet, providing various activities and scenic highlights, and also in part because of the historic centre of the town.

The heart of the older part of Pontivy is the old town, centred around the impressive 15th century Chateau des Rohan, a medieval moated castle in the centre of the town.

Lac de Guerlédan

Approaching the lake from the west is undoubtedly approaching it from the wild side. The site of Tregnanton (Saint Gelven) offers visitors a choice of the most exceptional viewpoints.

Moors and gorse surround the thick sheets of slate which are very present. Exceptional fishing site, like all of Guerlédan Lake, a pier allows boats to dock in a small cove resembling Nordic landscapes.

Cycling around Brittany

To discover Brittany by bike, nine long-distance cycling routes and green routes offer 2,000 km of marked routes for nature lovers. On tow paths, former railway lines or little roads, come and discover the region in the open air and almost without effort! Ride alongside rivers and canals, admire the Gulf of Morbihan, cross the Monts d’Arrée and the Montagnes Noires: there are many ways to escape.

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